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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
lights used
Posted By: tom In Response To: Re: Optimum running lights sought (M.Hamilton)
Date: Saturday, 16 December 2000, at 1:09 a.m.
Practical,
I am not a lic capt, but I have done a bit of paddling over the years.
I paddle with a few people on a reg basis and we do some night kayaking.
We do most of this night paddling during the winter and there is very little
power or sail boat traffic then. I assumed I could mount some sort of mast
system of lights but never did because of the concern of rescues (self and
assisted). I think a stern mounted pole would make rolling difficult, this might
not be true and I have never tried it to find out if it is or not, but I do think it
would be a hazard to my fellow paddler when trying to assist me. I would worry
about a pole mounted just behind the cockpit in that it could impede a
re-entry and roll or assisted rescue. What we do carry are bright head
lamps and a hand light. Also strobe on our PFD’s for emergencies.
We also have either a chem
or battery driven glow light. Most of the time we paddle with no lights on.
We find there is usually enough light on the water to keep track of each other.
We also use a number system that is counted off on a reg basis. If it is
calm out we might use the glow lights but we have found that if it is bit
bumpy that some of us get a bit sea sick in that it is difficult to keep your eyes
from locking onto the light in front of you. It is not a problem when it is calm
but has proven a bit troublesome when it is rough to be watching that light
move around so much. If a boat approaches we turn on the head lamps
and always have the option of a quick blast of the strobe. We almost
always have a VHF that can also be used to hail the approaching vessel.
tom
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